I'm about to start taking my prereqs for NS, and I was just wondering how tattoos and piercings are dealt with in nursing school and on the job.
I have a small tattoo on the inside of my left wrist, and I have a small nose stud. Both are very tasteful and not at all "in your face". (I also have my ears pierced, just one hole in each lobe.. I figure those are typical enough these days that as long as you're not wearing crazy big hoop earrings or dangly ones, it's fine to wear small ones there). Other than those, really, I'm your everyday typical girl next door.
Now, the tattoo I can see myself covering up with a wide bandaid. (Although I don't want my patients thinking I recently attempted suicide....) The nose piercing though.... It's not the kind of nose piercing that you can just take out yourself. I would have to go and have it professionally removed, and, if I wanted to get it back in, I'd have to go and have it professionally put in. Again. I *really* like my nose piercing, I feel as though it's a part of me, and I don't feel like it's offensive or a health risk. Obviously if my nursing school or job requires me to remove it, I will... I'm not *that* much of a stickler. But still.... =(
Just wondering how jobs, and nursing schools in particular deal with this kind of thing. Any stories? Thanks in advance =)
I have a tatoo on my wrist as well. I just wear my watch with the face turned inward to cover it. I tried the bandaid but it didn't work out for me. It seemed like it was always getting wet. I take my nose stud out for clinicals.
My school is earings only studs only, no visible tats. I planned ahead on tats - nothing below shirtsleeves. I had to take out my nose, and several ear cartilage piercings. Oh well, I'll be glad to get them back once I'm done. And yes the hospital I want to work at will allow ear piercings - not the nose. I'd rather be a nurse than have the piercing.
I did get looked at funny by an instructor when I went halfway under a piece of equipment and my top rode up and my pants rode down (I had plumbers crack!). She said nice tattoo to the large piece of back art I have on my lower back, and looked at me over her glasses. I shrugged, finished what I was doing and left the room.
I've seen plenty of people 60 and over with visible tattoos and facial piercings (mostly nose studs). I am hoping tattoos and piercings became more accepted.
Every place I have been employed as a nurse has had a dress policy that tattoos must be covered while at work... for professionalism... (you never see a tattooed accountant or executive, right?) I did not have them in school though.... I would ask your instructors what they want you to do.
I would respect an accountant or executive who was pierced or inked. I don't know why, but people in suits seem disingenuous to me.
what about cultural nose piercings? In some middle eastern cultures isn't nose piercing a coming of age tradition or have a religious significance? I'm not well versed in the subject but I do recall seeing a large number of middle eastern women with a stud in their nose.
for a hospital to state that you can not openly have tattoos is a cultural discrimination. By this I mean it is with in my subset of culture to express my self with skin art and there is nothing wrong with that. It does not say anything about my character except that I am a free thinker who is not governed by the view of the masses.
I know when I have clinicals in the hospital they are really strict and tbh probably for the best. We are allowed a little pair of stud earrings and that is all. My nursing student friend had a piercing at the top of her ear and she had to wear a band aid on her ear. She wouldnt take it out....can't remember why....maybe it was new enough and she didnt want the hole closing up. You could just ask a member of the staff when you start clinicals/nursing school. :) If I were you with the tatoo..i'd just wait to see what the rules are before covering it up and if they dont say anything, just wait til u are asked to cover it! :)
I think a man in suits with hidden tattoos is rather sexy...
We had a bbq/slip n slide party here the other day after we all got off in the morning. I never EVER would have guessed some of these people had the artwork they had :redpinkhe
pinkiepie_RN
998 Posts
I have a tattoo on the inside of my wrist and they said as long as I can cover it up with my watch, it's not a problem. :)